EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICARUSKA 65, 100 00 PRAGUE 10

NEWSLETTER - April 2018 (No. 4)

WORD BY THE AMBASSADOR

The month of April has sadly been characterized by the passing away of two of South Africa’s icons during the struggle to end apartheid and racial discrimination in our country. On 2 April 2018 the country received the sad news of the passing of struggle stalwart and former Member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She was among the great icons of the liberation struggle who sacrificed everything in the fight against the brutal

apartheid state. She will be remembered as one of the strongest women of the struggle who suffered immensely at the hands of the apartheid regime.

On 11 April 2018 the country also learned that the former Minister of Social Development and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Dr Zola Themba Skweyiya passed away. Dr Skweyiya served as Minister of the Public Service and Administration from 1994 to 1999 and later served as Minister of Social Development before retiring as a Member of Parliament in 2009. Within the same year, 2009, he was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, a position that acknowledged the long period Dr Skweyiya had spent in exile during the apartheid era. The Embassy wishes to extend its condolences to families, friends and comrades of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Dr Zola Themba Skweyiya.

April is also known as Freedom Month for all South African when we will celebrate the country’s transition from the oppressive apartheid regime to a free democratic country. This year’s theme is “The year of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: towards full realisation of our freedom through radical socio-economic transformation” Although our Embassy will celebrate Freedom Day a bit later than usual this year, please allow me to also wish all our fellow South Africans residing in the Czech Republic a happy and peaceful Freedom Day.

Ambassador NR Mosholi.

EMBASSY NEWS

TOURISM

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA ROAD SHOW WORKSHOP

The basic principle of Spotlight is to invite a diverse range of tourism organizations from all over Africa and take them on a one week roadshow to meet travel agents, tour operators, incentive travel companies, professional conference organizers and corporate travel buyers in each centre.

The Embassy in cooperation with South African Tourism took part in the Spotlight on Africa Road Show’s stop in Prague on the 10th of April 2018.

Mr. Oberholzer, Ms. Ntokozo Langa from South African Tourism and Mr. Houston from Houston Marketing.

More than 40 representatives from 33 different travel agencies and tour operators attended this tourism workshop at the King’s Court Hotel in Prague on the 10th of April 2018.

Ms.Ntokozo Langa and representatives from our Embassy met with a number of representatives of tourist agencies in the Czech Republic discussing the many natural beauties that South Africa has to offer.

The workshop with the agencies was followed by a presentation given by Ms. Ntokozo Langa showing how much South Africa has to offer. She was then followed by Ambassador N.R Mosholi who gave an inspiring speech on the progress South Africa has made in the past 20 years and how all this combined with its variety of different cultures and peoples makes it one of best destinations for outbound tourism from Europe. Ambassador N.R Mosholi, giving an address.

The South African Tourism also sponsored a lunch for the visitors where the topic of SA could have been seen in the prepared dishes and the Wines. The SAT partnered with Ms. Heather Crowther from Tombalina Wines offering some of South Africa’s fantastic wines.

Ms. Heather Crowther from Tombalina Wines

The entire event was a great success and this, amongst other activities of the Embassy and South

African Tourism contributes to the Czech Republic being the second largest incoming tourist group, after Poland, to the Republic of South Africa from central Europe.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY PAYS TRIBUTE TO WINNIE MANDIKIZELA-

MANDELA

On 2nd April the world was shocked to learn that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had passed away. For

many years she had been a defining symbol of the struggle against apartheid.

Mama Winnie dedicated her entire life to the struggles against oppression and for freedom and democracy. The more the repression continued, the more committed she became. The sentencing of Cde Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and other leaders to life imprisonment on Robben Island only served to sharpen her resolve to liberate her people.

BORDERPOL GLOBAL FORUM

On April 11-12 the Embassy attended a conference – BORDERPOL Global Forum.

It is a multi-faceted event bringing that brought together border agencies from 49 countries, senior border security professionals and innovative solution providers to explore the current landscape, investment areas, and future policy and developing technology.

Alongside the conferences there was a series of closed door agency workshops covering the most operationally critical issues facing international border security.The Forum showcased the latest capabilities available for effective border enforcement and protection. It also offered the opportunity to meet with the private sector to explore their needs and source products and services.

A SEMINAR ON POLITICS IN GERMANY

The European Liberal Forum (ELF) in cooperation with the Institute for Politics and Society and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation organised on Tuesday April 17 a seminar and a debate "New-old" government: The future of the Grand Coalition in Germany”. The Ambassador was pleased to attend and participate in discussions on the current political situation and

government forming in Germany and what it could mean for German politics in the future.

EMBASSY CONTACT TOUR – DESTINATION ZNOJMO

Ambassador N.R Mosholi and Counsellor Mr. Oberholzer spent two days (19-20 April) in the town of Znojmo in South Moravia on a regional Embassy contact tour.They met with regional Municipality representation, namely the Mayor of Znojmo MR. Jan Grois, with whom they discussed past, current and future endeavors in Czech and South African cooperation, particularly in the area of economic development, trade and wine.

Ambassador Mosholi and the Mayor of Znojmo Mr.Grois.

One of the main purposes of the Embassy is to facilitate companies

wishing to do business in South Africa.

That is why the regional visit also included a visit to PEGAS NONWOVENS, a Czech company currently investing in South Africa.

They represent the biggest investment from Czech

Republic to the African continent in recent years. The Pegas Nonwoven invested R1.3 billion in Atlantis, Western Cape, and will create over 200 jobs in the region.

The Embassy was honored to be showed around the factory in Znojmo and meeting with the company’s CEO Mr. František Řezáč.

A group of 16 South Africans will undergo specialized training in Znojmo from December 2018

to February 2019 in preparation for the new plant in South Africa.

Ambassador Mosholi, and Mr. Žídek senior financial controller and Mr. Řezáč CEO of Pegas Nonwoven and Mr. Oberholzer.

Ambassador Mosholi, Mr. Oberholzer and Mr. Žídek senior financial controller of Pegas Nonwoven.

For more pictures from our Znojmo contact tour please see the appendix.

A NEW BOOK PRESENTATION

In mid-April the Embassy attended a presentation of a new book “Chinese Assertiveness in South China Sea” by the

Institutes of International Affairs Associate Researcher Richard Q. Turcsányi published by the prestigious publishing house Springer.

It offers an assessment of China’s assertive foreign policy behaviour with a special focus on Chinese policies in the South China Sea (SCS).

PRAGUE HALF MARATHON

On 7 April 2018 the Prague center could once again welcome runners from all over the world from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and of course the

Czech Republic. From our Embassy Mr Oberholzer, Mr. Ncongwane and Ms. Koutina successfully completed the 21.1km Prague Half Marathon.

Mr. Ncongwane, Mr. Oberholzer and Ms.Koutina.

RUGBY MATCH CZECH REPUBLIC VS MOLDOVA

The Embassy was once again glad to be able to support the Czech National Rugby Team and witness their win against a tough opponent on Saturday April 21 2018. The Czech team beat Moldova 35-21 and it was a great day of rugby for all.

Ambassador Mosholi, Dr. Phil Pretorius (South African Coach of the Czech National Rugby Team) Mr.Oberholzer and Ms. Neo Mosholi Mr. Vivian Ncongwane and his son, Siya.

Czech Republic vs. Moldova.Ambassador Mosholi and supporters.

SA CITIZENS

SOUTH AFRICANS STUDYING AND WORKING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

We are happy to say that South Africans are able to live and study in the Czech Republic. Here is story of one of them.

I am Mathapelo Malatji from South Africa, Mpumalanga Province in Bushbuckridge. I am the

first born from a family of four children, I am the first one in my family (both from my mum’s side and my dad’s side) to study abroad, live overseas and to complete a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics.

When I applied for the Erasmus Mundas Inspire scholarship I got a regret letter instead (in March) but few months later (in June) they called me that someone had cancelled their scholarship so if I am still interested I should prepare my things. I truly believe it was God’s divine plan for my life.

I studied at the Masaryk University in Brno, Master in Business Administration and Economics. I came to Czech Republic in 2015 September and now I am working here.

The Embassy would like to congratulate Ms. Mathapelo Malatji on graduating.

DIPLOMATIC NEWS

April – 13 – signing of the Condolence book for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the Ambassador’s residence.

April 17 – The Ambassador and Mr. Oberholzer met with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Zambia to the Czech Republic, Ms. Eva Anderlová. Ms. Anderlová is also Vice President for Public Affairs at the University of New York in Prague.Ambassador Mosholi, Mr. Oberholzer and Ms. Anderlová.

April 18 – The Ambassador and Mr. Oberholzer met with Mr. Růžicka, the President of the SA-Czech Chamber of Commerce.Ambassador Mosholi, Mr. Růžička and Mr. Oberholzer.

April 25 – The Ambassador attended a Conference: IberoAmerica – 100 years of Friendship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SOUTH AFRICAN NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA CELEBRATES FREEDOM MONTH

Freedom Month (April) commemorates the historic occasion in 1994 when South Africa achieved freedom and democracy, where all its citizens became free from discrimination and oppression, moving away from hatred, divisions and a painful history to build a common future together. The theme for the 2018 Freedom Month celebrations is “The Year of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: “United for Radical Economic Transformation”.

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON THE PASSING OF MAM' WINNIE

MADIKIZELA-MANDELA

The President described Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as an abiding symbol of the desire for freedom. In a statement on 2 April 2018, following the passing of the struggle stalwart earlier in the day, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Madikizela-Mandela, 81, was a champion of justice and equality.

For the President’s full address please see appendix.

ELECTRONIC SA VISA APPLICATIONS TO CURB FAKE PERMITS

The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, says the department will this year introduce an electronic VISA application system in order to curb fraudulent permits from foreign nationals.The Minister said this when ministers in the Peace and Security Cluster fielded questions at the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday, 27 March 2018.

CZECH NEWS

PRAGUE ZOO TO BUILD AUSTRALIAN SECTION, GORILLA PAVILION

The Prague zoo will build a new gorilla pavilion this year, and also a new Australian section to host species such as the largest surviving marsupial, the Tasmanian devil.

The zoo has been successful in gorilla breeding. Seven young gorillas have been born there since

2004, but two have not survived.

The zoo ranks among Prague's sites most popular with tourists. Since

2005, the number of visitors has annually crossed one million. Last year, it was visited by 1,445,126 people, the second highest number in its history.

CZECH TOURISM EARNINGS CLIMB TO 3.0 OF GDP

Czech earnings from the tourism sector amounted to 3.0 percent of total Gross Domestic Product in 2016 with around 231,000 people employed in it according to the Czech Statistical Office.

Total tourism earnings rose by almost 9.0 percent over the year to 272 billion crowns. That is the highest level since calculations for the sector started in 2003, the office said. Foreign visitors to the Czech Republic accounted for 58 percent of the overall turnover.

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 3.5 PERCENT

Unemployment in the Czech Republic has reached a new 20-year low, dropping to 3.5 percent in March, down from 3.7 the previous month. According to the Czech Statistics Office the downward trend was recorded in all regions of the country. Labour offices registered 263, 000 unemployed who could take their pick from over 250,000 job vacancies on the market.

CZECH BASED AVAST TO LAUNCH SHARES ON LONDON EXCHANGE

Czech-based software security and protection company Avast has

announced plans to launch shares on the London stock exchange this year with the target of raising around 200 million US dollars.

The anti-virus company says it wants to ease its debt burden and create room for further growth.

The share offer is likely to be targeted at institutional investors. Avast took a major step towards boosting its worldwide position by taking over the rival company AVG in 2016.

APPENDIX A:

TOURISM SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA ROAD SHOW WORKSHOP

APPENDIX B:

EMBASSY CONTACT TOUR – DESTINATION ZNOJMO

APPENDIX C:

APPENDIX D:

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ON THE PASSING OF MAM' WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA

“It is with a profound sense of loss and deep sadness that we have learnt of the passing away of Mam’ Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.“Even at the darkest moments of our struggle for liberation, Mam’ Winnie was an abiding symbol of the desire of our people to be free.“In the midst of repression, she was a voice of defiance and resistance.“In the face of exploitation, she was a champion of justice and equality.“Throughout her life she made an everlasting contribution to the struggle through sacrifice and her unyielding determination. Her dedication to the plight of her people gained her the love and the respect of the nation.“For many years, she bore the brunt of the senseless brutality of the apartheid state with stoicism and fortitude. Despite the hardships she faced, she never doubted that the struggle for freedom and democracy would succeed.“She remained throughout her life a tireless advocate for the dispossessed and the marginalised. She was a voice for the voiceless.“In the coming days, as we mourn the passing of this heroine of our struggle, let us reflect on her rich, remarkable and meaningful life.“Let us draw inspiration from the struggles that she fought and the dream of a better society to which she dedicated her life.“Today, we have lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a comrade, a leader and an icon.“As South Africans, we collectively pass our condolences to the Madikizela and Mandela families. Your loss is our loss as well.“May her soul rest in peace.”Madikizela-Mandela passed away at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year, according to a statement released by her familyPresident Ramaphosa has declared that the late Mam’ Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela – a recipient of the Order of Luthuli in silver for her “excellent contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South Africa” –to honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1.A Special Official Funeral Category 1 entails elements of military ceremonial honours and is declared, in line with the Presidency’s State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy, for persons of extraordinary credentials specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.“Mam’ Winnie deserves the highest respect our nation can demonstrate in honour of a patriot and citizen who served our nation and humanity at large with distinction during our liberation struggle and throughout our democratic dispensation,” President Ramaphosa said.